Democrat Abigail Spanberger passed on a chance to use one of the most high-profile moments of her run for Virginia governor to withdraw her endorsement for her party\u2019s attorney general nominee for his use of violent rhetoric in a text message.<\/p>\n
The subject of Jay Jones\u2019 violent message from three years ago emerged immediately as the Democrat faced Republican Winsome Earle-Sears on Thursday in the only planned debate of the closely watched race. <\/p>\n
Spanberger condemned the text as \u201cabhorrent\u201d but repeatedly declined to say whether she would withdraw her support for Jones, saying it should be left to the voters in the Nov. 5 election.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe voters now have the information, and it is up to voters to make an individual choice based on this information,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
Jones suggested the former Republican House speaker should get \u201ctwo bullets to the head.\u201d He has apologized for the text, which became public last week amid rising fears of political violence following a string of incidents, including the killing of Charlie Kirk on Sept. 10 and the attack on Minnesota lawmakers in June. <\/p>\n
Jones dominated the early portion of the debate at Norfolk State University that otherwise include feisty exchanges on public policy and culture war issues. <\/p>\n
Earle-Sears pivoted from the first question, about Virginia\u2019s car tax, to insist that Spanberger address a message that became public only recently amid heightened concern about political violence. \u201cMy opponent needs to answer about Jay Jones.\u201d <\/p>\n
The lieutenant governor then repeatedly turned to ask Spanberger what it would take for her to call for Jones to leave the race. \u201cYou have little girls,\u201d she said, looking directly at her opponent and ignoring moderators\u2019 attempts to allow the Democratic nominee to answer. \u201cWhat would it take? Him pulling the trigger? Is that what would do it and then you would say he needs to get out of the race, Abigail?\u201d<\/p>\n
While Spanberger declined to say whether she would continue to support Jones, she made it clear she disagreed with his text. “I denounced them when I learned of them and I will denounce them at every opporturnity,” she said. <\/p>\n
Virginia is one of two states electing governors in November and is often viewed as a bellwether election for the party occupying the White House. Democrats were hoping for decisive wins in Virginia to use as a springboard into next year\u2019s midterms, but have encountered some turbulence as Republicans have announced a combined $3 million ad push in recent days to keep the text messaging saga top of mind for voters in the campaign\u2019s final stretch.<\/p>\n